Foot-corrector.



1. BROWN.

FOOT CORRECTOR.

APPLICATION FJLED 001. 5, 1915.

Patented July 11, 1916.

WITN- INSTENTOR Ja l/223951101102.

BY HIM A'LTORNEYS JAMES BROWN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FOOT-CORBEGTOR.

longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot may be supported and the metatarsal phalangeal articulative points balanced, in this manner making it possible to correct various ailments of the feet, such as bunions, callouses, corns of various kinds, hammer toes, cramps of the muscles, etc.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter" more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a-persp'ective View of the insert. Fig. 2 is'a bottom view of same. Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one form of insert used to support the longitudinal arch of the foot.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates in general, an inner sole or what is commonly known as an insert, which is adapted to be placed in a shoe. The insert is in this instance, out or shaped approximately as shown and constructed of leather which is placed between dies and pressed therein, to form a recess ordepression 2, for the heel and a raised portion 3, to support the longitudinal arch or instep of the foot and raised, as at 4 to support the transverse arch of the foot. The bottom side of the insert A is lined with a thin section of leather 5, which is securedtothe insert by being stitched thereto, as indicated at 6. The stitching 6 runs all around the edge of the insert except at'the points, indicated at 7 and 8, where a curve 9 is made which conforms with the raised portion 3 that supports the longitudinal arch of the foot. The stitching is also carried across the front portion of the insert, as at 10, at a point rearwardly of the raised portion 4; two pockets 11 and 12 are in this manner formed between the insert proper and the lining 5; the pocket 12 being provided for the purpose of receiving one'or more pads or inserts 13, while the pocket 11 is provided for Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Application filed October 5, 1915. Serial No. 54,152.

the purpose of receiving a pad, such as indicated at 14, see Figs. 2 and 3. Inserted between the lining 5 and the insert proper, is a strip 15, which extends across the mouth of the pocket 12, this strip is provided to prevent the raised portion 3 from flattening .out or losing its shape and it also serves as a means for retaining inserts, such as indicated at 13, when these are placedv in the pocket. The pocket, indicated at 11 is entirely inclosed by the stitching, indicated at 6 and 10. It is, therefore, necessary to slit the lining at a plurality of points, such as indicated at 16; the slitting of the lining at the several points permits in the pocket, and it may be further secured at the point inserted by applying an adhesive or other means. The shape and thickness of the pads, indicated at 13 and 14, together with the material and finish of same permits their construction to be varied to suit conditions.

The device as a whole, is provided for the purpose of alleviating or curing different ailments of the feet. As an illustration, the following examples are given: If it is desired to cure a bunion on the large toe, the cushion or pad 14 is moved under and behind the head of the connected metatarsal articulative point, where it will engage the ligament that controls the large toe; the pressure thus applied, holds the ligament taut and brings the toe back to position, thus curing the bunion and eliminating operation. Again, if it is desired to cure a case of callous under the main supporting points on the front portion of the foot, acomparatively large-cushion or pad 14' is inserted between the inner sole and the lining 5, to assume the position shown at 17, see Fig. 2. The main weight of the foot is thus supported on the center of the transverse arch, thus relieving the callouses of the main weight and consequently curing the same. It will be seen that where crooked toes or what is known as hammer toes are to be cured, it is only necessary to adjust the position of the pad to a point behind the head of the metatarsal articulative points of the toe to be treated,

where it will engage the connected ligament Corns of various kinds are also cured by the pad 14 to be inserted at any point withthe application of this device, as the toes may either be spread apart, where soft come between the toes are to be cured, or lifted into position by securing the pad in a position where it will apply sufficient pressure to tighten the connected ligaments and cause these either to spread or lift the toes into the desired position. Running over of the feet on one side or another is similarly corrected, as it is only necessary to move the pad from one side of the foot to the other, as the case may be. One of the cushions is extra large and so shaped, as to segregate the anchylosed articulative points, and being movable at the patients will, can easily overcome cramp or nerve pinch. The instep or longitudinal arch of the foot is similarly supported by inserting one or more pads, such as indicated at 13; the height to which it is desired to raise the instep is determined by the number of pads inserted or by the thickness of same.

The device as a whole, is simple, compact in construction, cheap to manufacture, being provided with pockets it is possible to insert pads of diflerent sizes and thicknesses. It is easy to adjust the deviceto relieve pressure on the foot at any point or accomplish any result desired; in this manner, not only alleviating pain, but also curing ailments of various. kinds.

' The provision of the several slits 16, permitsthe pad 14 to be inserted at any point; this is important, as the pad must necessarily be moved to assume different positions, when treating different cases. This slitted or strap-like structure is also important, as it permits the insertion of pads of varying thickness.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the device may be such as the judgment and experience of the manufacturer may dictate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific design and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s 1. A foot corrector comprising an inner sole, a lining piece stitched to the bottom side of the sole, said lining member being slitted at a plurality of points near the front end, and a pad member insertible between the sole and the slitted lining to thicken the sole at a point registering With the transverse arch of the foot.

2. A foot corrector comprising an inner sole and a transverse strip stitched to the bottom of the sole forming an inclosed pocket near the toe portion, said strip being slitted in several places to allow an insert at different points transversely of the sole.

3. Ina foot corrector, a member having a raised part forming a pocket thereunder, and a tensioning element secured to said member and disposed beneath the raised part and being spaced from the inner longitudinal side of the pocket to admit inserts in said space between the element and the pocket inner side and to hold the insert in the pocket.

4. A foot corrector composed of a member having a pocket the bottom of which is formed with a series of spaced slits providing straps connected at each end to the bottom and having each of their sides free, whereby to engage an insert by extending thereacross and intermediate opposite sides or ends of the insert.

5. In afoot corrector, a member having a raised part forming a pocket thereunder, and means secured to said member and disposed beneath the raised part and being spaced from the inner longitudinal side of the pocket to admit inserts in said space between the means and the pocket inner side and to hold the insert in the pocket.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES BROWN.

Witnesses:

W. W. IIEALEY, M; E. EWING. 

